Abstract: An edge-lit luminaire includes a panel formed of a transparent material. The panel includes first and second opposing surfaces. At least one edge light source is positioned proximate to the panel. A plurality of prismatic reflective/refractive elements is spaced apart on a predefined pattern on the second surface. The plurality of prismatic reflective/refractive elements have a predefined contour for accurate ray direction control. The predefined pattern on the second surface includes predefined gradient spacing and size variables of the prismatic reflective/refractive elements for providing uniform ray emission across the panel. The plurality of prismatic reflective/refractive elements have a predefined relative spacing of the prismatic reflective/refractive elements based upon a position relative to the light source. Also the predefined relative size of each of the prismatic reflective/refractive elements can be based upon its position relative to the light source.

Abstract: An industrial luminaire with a prismatic refractor including an interior surface formed as an open-ended surface of revolution of a plane curve about a rotational axis, the plane curve having a plurality of segments corresponding to segments on a reference curve which, for each segment of the reference curve, the corresponding segment on the plane curve has been incrementally rotated with respect to a reference point on a reference axis for the reference curve.

Abstract: The present invention includes an illuminated sign display assembly comprising: a transparent panel having two oppositely facing planar surfaces separated by a surface forming a linear edge between said oppositely faced surfaces, one of said oppositely facing surfaces adapted to support a sign; a light source on or adjacent to said linear edge for transmitting light between said opposite facing surfaces; characterised in that at least one of said oppositely facing surfaces has applied thereon at least one single continuous line forming a matrix extending substantially over the entire surface of said at least one of said oppositely facing surfaces. The applicants have found that the sign display assembly of the present invention enables even distribution of transmitted light and effectively illuminates the entire panel even at distances remote from the light source.

Abstract: A headlight reduced in size and ensuring sufficiently high efficiency is provided. The headlight includes a light source, a cylindrical condenser lens surrounding the light source from its periphery to transmit light incident from the light source, and a reflector surrounding the light source and the cylindrical condenser lens from their backsides to reflect the light transmitted through the cylindrical condenser lens frontward.

Abstract: The present invention provides an illumination device having a curved reflector for use with a light-emitting device. The illumination device includes conical or funnel shaped lens having a top section, a bottom section, an outer surface and an inner surface. The bottom section is enlarged and contains a hollow interior formed by the lens inner surface to receive a curved reflector. The top section contains a cavity adaptable to receive a light-emitting device so that when the light is illuminated, light is transmitted through the reflector lens. As light travels towards the bottom section, the curved reflector deflects light in the horizontal direction through the lens to prevent light from being absorbed by the base. The reflector lens outer and inner surfaces contain ridges to form a grid-like pattern to disperse light. This configuration provides an efficient means to transmit light to illuminate a surrounding area.

Abstract: A light diffusion sheet comprising a transparent base material sheet; a light diffusion layer laminated on a surface of the base material sheet and containing beads dispersed within a binder; and a sticking-inhibiting layer laminated on a rear face of the base material sheet, wherein the binder of the light diffusion layer contains a thermosetting resin and the sticking-inhibiting layer is a resin layer containing an ionizing radiation curable resin. In the light diffusion sheet of the invention, which employs an ionizing radiation curable resin for the binder of the sticking-inhibiting layer, the cross-linking density of the binder can be increased, whereby the wear resistance of the sticking-inhibiting layer as well as the wear resistance of the rear face of the light diffusion sheet can be increased.

Abstract: A light diffusion sheet comprising a transparent base material sheet; a light diffusion layer laminated on a surface of the base material sheet and containing beads dispersed within a binder; and a sticking-inhibiting layer laminated on a rear face of the base material sheet, wherein the binder of the light diffusion layer contains a thermosetting resin and the sticking-inhibiting layer is a resin layer containing an ionizing radiation curable resin. In the light diffusion sheet of the invention, which employs an ionizing radiation curable resin for the binder of the sticking-inhibiting layer, the cross-linking density of the binder can be increased, whereby the wear resistance of the sticking-inhibiting layer as well as the wear resistance of the rear face of the light diffusion sheet can be increased.

Abstract: A light guide plate has a back face provided with a first light diffusion pattern which tends to get denser according to an increasing distance from a primary light source. The light guide plate has an emission face provided with a second light diffusion pattern covering rate of is the largest at an approximately center portion (particular partial region) of the emission face. The first and second light diffusion patterns consist of a great number of fine light diffusion elements, respectively. Each fine light diffusion element of the second light diffusion pattern has a smaller size as compared with that of the first light diffusion pattern. The emission face of the light guide plate has an effective emission area to provide an emission light which is supplied to an LCD panel or other objects to be illuminated, via a light control member such as prism sheet. The approximately center portion and/or other one or more particular partial regions in the emission face show an intentionally heightened brightness.

Abstract: A light collimating film includes a sheet having a first side and a second side. The first side can include a series of optical elements and the second side includes a series of stepped plateaus and a series of base planes that run along a first axis. The plateaus and base planes alternate along a second axis and the plateaus have an elevation different than the base planes.

Abstract: A method and device for improving lighting of a display having a top surface for viewing.

Abstract: Apparatus for projecting a line of light includes a linear array of diode-lasers arranged in a diode-laser bar. An optical system focuses fast axis diverging rays from diode-lasers in the array into a fast-axis focal plane of the optical system. The optical system forms slow axis rays from the diode-lasers into bundles of parallel rays that intersect in the fast axis focal plane. The focused fast-axis rays and the intersecting bundles of parallel rays form the line of light in the fast axis focal plane. The optical system includes two arrays of cylindrical microlens surfaces. The microlens surfaces contribute to providing a uniform intensity of light along the line of light.

Abstract: An LED module that includes an LED (light-emitting diode) and a rotationally symmetrical, bowl-shaped collimator lens is provided.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp such as a rear combination lamp comprising: a reflex reflector lens that is fitted in a front lens of the lamp so as to reflect the light from the outside the vehicle lamp back to the outside, and a light reflector that is formed in the front lens so as to face the reflex reflector lens and to entirely reflect the light from a light source toward the light source. The vehicle reflex reflector lens is made of a material that has a lower heat resistance than the front lens.

Abstract: A rear light of motor vehicle enclosed in a housing comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) on a bottom housing and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) formed thereon and electrically coupled to the PCB for emitting light thereby; and convergent lens means atop the LEDs whereby light emitted from the LEDs are brought together by the convergent lens means to form uniform and focused light on a first predetermined area, such focused light is further focused on a second predetermined area by rectangular refractive members in an upper housing.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an illuminating device for illuminating a surface to be illuminated with light passed through a fiber bundle from a light source, wherein the shape of the exit end of the fiber bundle is linear (or narrowly rectangular), to correspond to the shape of the shape of a surface to be illuminated. A microlens array, a lenticular lens surface of which comprises a dense array of concave cylindrical microlenses, being of a shape that corresponds to the shape of the exit end of the fiber bundle, is provided at an end of the fiber bundle. Illumination thereby is effectively free of irregularities in the level of illumination across the surface to be illuminated.

Abstract: A light guide plate has a back face provided with a first light diffusion pattern which tends to get denser according to an increasing distance from a primary light source. The light guide plate has an emission face provided with a second light diffusion pattern covering rate of is the largest at an approximately center portion (particular partial region) of the emission face. The first and second light diffusion patterns consist of a great number of fine light diffusion elements, respectively. Each fine light diffusion element of the second light diffusion pattern has a smaller size as compared with that of the first light diffusion pattern. The emission face of the light guide plate has an effective emission area to provide an emission light which is supplied to an LCD panel or other objects to be illuminated, via a light control member such as prism sheet. The approximately center portion and/or other one or more particular partial regions in the emission face show an intentionally heightened brightness.

Abstract: A surface light source device and LCD employs a light guide plate which is capable of a three-dimensional emission direction controlling and avoids fine unevenness in brightness from appearing. Light guide plate 34 has a back face 34 provided with a great number of micro-reflectors 90 each of which has a guiding portion and a conversion output portion including a valley getting narrower and shallower as being distant from the guiding portion. The conversion output portion reflects input light P twice at inner slopes to produce inner output light Q. Inner output light Q is inner-incident to a slope of projection raw PR. While some of the inner incident light becomes directly escaping light, some other of the inner incident light fails to escape directly, reaching emission face 33 after travelling further along various light paths. Indirectly escaping light is emitted at second or later chances of emission.

Abstract: Assembly for optical beam transformation, which is useful for imaging a light source (1) or several light sources onto the front face of an optical fiber (7), comprising at least one light source (1) that is capable of emitting at least one beam of light (9) and further comprising one imaging element (2) and at least one device (3) for optical beam transformation, the imaging element (2) being able to image the at least one beam of light (9) emitted from the at least one light source onto the at least one device (3) for optical beam transformation through which the at least one beam of light can at least partially pass and the at least one device (3) for optical beam transformation being able to rotate the at least one beam of light (9) passing through said device at least in sections about the direction of propagation (z) of the respective section of the beam(s) of light by an angle of about 90°, the device (3) for optical beam transformation comprising at least one segment of cylindrical lens (8) on one

Abstract: An optical unit for an aircraft warning light comprising an array of LEDs, the unit comprising a transparent plastics molded body having first and second opposing faces and being provided with optical means on its first and optionally also its second face to propagate fractions of light emitted from the LEDs in selected directions in accordance with a predetermined angular distribution. The optical means may, for example, take the form of discrete convex lenses, cylindrical aspherical lenses, prisms or total internal reflection structures and combinations thereof selected according to the emission requirements for the warning light. The optical unit will therefore differ depending on whether it is for use on a navigation light or an anti-collision light and will generally be spaced at a predetermined, fixed distance from the LED array.

Abstract: A light diffusion sheet comprising a transparent base material sheet; a light diffusion layer laminated on a surface of the base material sheet and containing beads dispersed within a binder; and a sticking-inhibiting layer laminated on a rear face of the base material sheet, wherein the binder of the light diffusion layer contains a thermosetting resin and the sticking-inhibiting layer is a resin layer containing an ionizing radiation curable resin. In the light diffusion sheet of the invention, which employs an ionizing radiation curable resin for the binder of the sticking-inhibiting layer, the cross-linking density of the binder can be increased, whereby the wear resistance of the sticking-inhibiting layer as well as the wear resistance of the rear face of the light diffusion sheet can be increased.

Abstract: An LED module that includes an LED (light-emitting diode) and a rotationally symmetrical, bowl-shaped collimator lens is provided.

Abstract: A light pipe for a backlight assembly has a front surface and a back surface. The back surface includes an integral surface diffuser microstructure formed thereon. The front surface may also have an integral surface diffuser microstructure formed thereon as well. A backlight assembly has a reflective surface adjacent the back surface of the light pipe and a separate diffuser film layer disposed against the front surface. A pair of brightness enhancing film layers for collimating light are placed adjacent the diffuser film layer. A protective layer is disposed over the brightness enhancing film layers. The integral diffusers on the front and back surfaces of the light pipe significantly enhance the brightness and light distribution uniformity of the assembly without adding additional components or reducing other performance characteristics of the assembly.

Abstract: A surface light source device of side light type 1 comprises a guide plate 2, a reflection sheet 4 and a light control member 5. Primary light sources 3 are disposed beside incidence end faces located oppositely to each other across the guide plate 2, respectively. Illumination light L propagates as to approach the oppositely located incidence end faces while being reflected repeatedly by a back face 2B and an emission face 2C. The back face 2B of the guide plate 2 is provided with a great number of fine projection rows. Each of the projection rows has a pair of slopes 2E, 2F running approximately at the right angle with respect to the incidence end faces 2A. These projection rows modify emission directivity toward a frontal direction of the emission face 2C regarding in a plane parallel with the incidence end faces 2A while giving effective output from the emission face 2C.

Abstract: An optical film has surface that reduces the occurrence of optical defects in a display using the film. In particular, the surface has randomized characteristics that reduce such defects as wet-out, Newton's rings, and Moiré effects. The film has a first surface free of regular structure, the first surface having a plurality of local height maxima, a characteristic measure of the first surface having a random value within a predetermined range. The film also has a second surface opposing the first surface. A method of making an optical film includes embossing a pattern lacking regular structure onto a first surface of a film, wherein the first surface has a plurality of local height maxima, a characteristic measure of the first surface having a random value within a predetermined range.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an illuminating device for illuminating a surface to be illuminated with light passed through a fiber bundle from a light source, wherein the shape of the exit end of the fiber bundle is linear (or narrowly rectangular), to correspond to the shape of the shape of a surface to be illuminated. A microlens array, a lenticular lens surface of which comprises a dense array of concave cylindrical microlenses, being of a shape that corresponds to the shape of the exit end of the fiber bundle, is provided at an end of the fiber bundle. Illumination thereby is effectively free of irregularities in the level of illumination across the surface to be illuminated.

Abstract: A traffic signal lamp includes a plurality of light emitting diodes and two lens sets. A first lens set has an entrance surface comprising a plurality of convex cylindrical surfaces running in a vertical direction and an exit surface comprising a plurality of slanted surface segments running in a horizontal direction. A second lens set has an entrance surface comprising a plurality of elongated concave cylindrical surfaces running in the vertical direction and an convex exit surface having a small curvature. The first lens set collimates light in the horizontal direction and limits light in a viewing angle in the vertical direction. The second lens set redistributes light uniformly in a viewing angle in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: An Illumination apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a light source, a mirror that reflects a light emitted by the light source and converts it to a convergent light beam, and a collimator lens that collimates the convergent light beam reflected by the mirror to a collimated light beam. Here, the collimator lens is provided with a region positioned at a central region with respect to an optical axis and having a negative focal distance, and a plurality of concentric annular regions centering with respect to the optical axis and having focal distances different from each other.

Abstract: A brightness enhancement article that includes: (a) a transparent, flexible substrate; (b) a first major surface having an array of prisms with blunted or rounded peaks characterized by a chord width, cross-sectional pitch width, and radius of curvature in which the chord width is equal to about 20-40% of the cross-sectional pitch width and the radius of curvature is equal to about 20-50% of the cross-sectional pitch width; and (c) a second major surface characterized by a plurality of light scattering protrusions. The article has a haze value between about 20-60% and a transmission value no greater than about 94% when measured under conditions in which the first surface has a substantially planar topography.

Abstract: An indicator light for a motor vehicle has a point source, an intermediate screen which receives the light directly from the source, and a cover glass outside the screen. The intermediate screen comprises a series of optical cells, each of which has, on an internal face, a curved surface for straightening and spreading the light. Each cell further has, on an outer face, a set of at least two flat facets which are oblique with respect to a plane of the intermediate screen.

Abstract: A method of making an illuminate, multicolored panel, comprising the steps of fixing together an opaque layer to a clear layer to form a panel, etching a well into the opaque layer of the panel, and depositing tinted translucent material into the well.

Abstract: A colored light mixing device, disclosed having at least one light source set and a color mixing plate. The light source set has three light generating units which generate light of different colors. The color mixing plate is made of transparent material, having a lower surface that faces the at least one light source set with a lower wavelike pattern and an upper surface opposite thereto with an upper wavelike pattern that is oriented differently from the lower wavelike pattern. Being hit by light from the at least one light source set, the lower wavelike pattern acts as a plurality of linear light sources for light of mixed colors inside the color mixing plate being illuminated by light from the lower wavelike pattern, the upper wavelike pattern emits light of uniform intensity and mixed hue.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lighting device to illuminate the running board of a vehicle. One embodiment of the lighting device includes an electroluminescent element from which light emanates, an optical element for focusing the light, and a transparent tube surrounding the electroluminescent element and the optical element. In another embodiment of the lighting device, the transparent tube itself is provided with optical power for creating the desired light pattern.

Abstract: In a light distribution lens for a strobe provided in front of a strobe light emitter to gather strobe light, one of opposed lens surfaces is made of a convex surface, and the other lens surface is made of a convex Fresnel surface. A zoom strobe device is also disclosed, which includes a light emitter unit having a light emitter and a reflector, a light distribution lens provided in front of the light emitter unit to gather light emitted from the light emitter, and a zoom device for varying the distance between the light emitter unit and the light distribution lens.

Abstract: A headlight for a vehicle operating in accordance with the projection principle, the headlight has a reflector, a light source, a lens through which a light reflected by the reflector passes, at least one partially light-permeable element which surrounds the lens at least over a part of its periphery, so that light which is emitted by the light source and not engaged by the reflector passes through and is collected by the at least one element, wherein, the reflector and the lens being formed so that light which is reflected by the reflector and passes through the lens forms an upper bright-dark limit, the element being formed at least locally as a fresnel lens with ring-shaped optical profiles, and further optical profiles arranged at least in a part of a beam path of the light passing through the element and deviating the light so that it illuminates a region in front of the vehicle above the bright-dark limit formed by the light reflected by the reflector and passing through the lens.

Abstract: A backlight apparatus has a light guide plate with a side surface through which the light from a light source enters The light source extends longitudinally in a specific direction. The light guide plate has a light emitting surface and a back surface opposed to the emitting surface. Horizontal grooves are formed on the back surface parallel to the longitudinal direction of the light source. A width of a flat portion defined between the grooves decreases as goes away form the light source.

Abstract: A transmission screen including a lenticular lens sheet having glass beads, having lenticular lenses, and a Fresnel lens sheet. Light is projected on the transmission screen by a projector, and an image made up of a large number of picture elements is thus projected onto the lenticular lens sheet. When the picture element pitch of the picture elements is designated by P, the arrangement pitch r of the lenticular lenses of the lenticular lens sheet is designated by r, and the particle diameter of the glass beads is designated by d, these P, r and d fulfill the following conditions: r/P.ltoreq.1/4.0 and 1.0 .mu.m.ltoreq.d.

Abstract: An airway obstruction luminaire has a luminaire base; a substantially cylindrical Fresnel lens having a lens axis; a halogen lamp having a lamp base, and a substantially linear filament; and a lamp bracket which positions the lamp such that a filament axis of the filament is coincident with the lens axis. The filament is energized by a power supply connected to a first filament end and second filament end, which are separated by an effective length l.sub.E of less than 1 inch. The filament is preferably formed as a helical coil. The lamp is designed to operate at a lamp rated voltage V.sub.L between about 12 and 30 volts. The power supply voltage V.sub.P is reduced if V.sub.P is greater than V.sub.L. The second filament end is supported by a second end support structure configured to reduce shadowing. The lens is preferably an acrylic plastic lens fabricated by injection molding.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp comprises: a lamp body; and a lens disposed in front of the lamp body, forming a lamp chamber with the lamp body, wherein at least an area forming part of the inner surface of the lamp body or the lens is divided into a plurality of elements, and the cross sectional configuration of each element in two directions meeting at right angles comprises a concave curve in one direction and a convex curve in the other.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes an amber light bulb covered with a cup-shaped colorless transparent cap, thus emitting an amber light beam. A colorless, transparent, plain lens is employed. Furthermore, the inner surface of the cylindrical portion of the transparent cap is formed into a plurality of side steps, and the inner surface of the front end portion of the transparent cap is shaped into a Fresnel lens, and the outer surface of the front end portion is shaped into a plurality of fisheye lenses, which makes it more difficult to see the amber light bulb. Therefore, the vehicle lamp appears deep and glittering.

Abstract: A lens plate integrator includes first and second lens plates which transmit light from a light source on an optical path to a projection plane. Each lens plate includes corresponding first and second groups of lens elements; light from the first group of the second plate is focused on a projection face in the projection plane, while light from the second group of the second plate is focused in front of or behind the projection plane and only partially illuminates the projection face.

Abstract: An indicating light or side lamp display for a motor vehicle comprises a substantially point light source, a flux recuperator such as a mirror, for reflecting the light from the source towards the outside in the form of an essentially parallel beam, and, interposed in the path of the beam, an intermediate screen and a cover lens. The intermediate screen has a set of optical cells, each of which includes on an internal face a substantially spherical surface for spreading the light, and, on an outer face of the screen, a set of at least two flat facets which are oblique with respect to the plane of the intermediate screen.

Abstract: A motor vehicle indicator light comprises a light source, a reflector defining an axis on which the light source lies, the reflector having striations in a first orientation, and an optical plate having striations in a second orientation substantially at right angles to the first orientation. A central zone of the reflector spreads the light in a first direction in a first angular gap defined on either side of the axis, while the striations in two side zones of the reflector spread the light while directing it towards the axis of the reflector in the first direction. A homologous central zone of the optical plate, which may be an intermediate screen, spreads the light in a second direction substantially at right angles to the first direction, in a second angular gap on either side of the axis, while homologous side zones of the intermediate screen spread the light in the second direction to a lesser extent than the central zone.

Abstract: There is provided a surface light source device which is excellent in whiteness and softness of a luminant surface and able to retain reflective appearance from occurring. The surface light source device is effectively applied to back lighting in a liquid crystal display. A fluorescent lamp (L) is disposed in the vicinity of an incidence surface (2) of a light guide plate (1). A prism sheet (4') having prism surfaces formed on both surfaces is disposed along an exiting surface (5). The prism sheet (4') is oriented such that prism rows (4a, 4b) on the inside surface run in the transverse direction of the light guide plate (1) while prism rows (4c, 4d) on the outside surface run in the longitudinal direction of the light guide plate (1). A reflector (3) is disposed along a back surface (6) of the light guide plate (1).

Abstract: The light output of a back-coupled illumination system is improved by recycling reflected and misdirected light rays. A reflector at the light source and an array of microprisms having reflective elements therebetween efficiently redirect errant light rays to increase the total available light output and improve efficiency. Both specular and diffuse reflective materials may be used in combination to enhance light output.

Abstract: In a signal lamp, in particular, for automotive vehicles, comprising a casing, a light source arranged in the casing, a reflector, a closure plate and an optical plate provided between the light source and the closure plate and comprising convex areas at the side thereof facing the light source and concave areas on the side thereof facing away from the light source between which are provided light-impermeable areas on the surface, a homogeneous light distribution is obtained in that the side of the closure plate facing the light source comprises concave recesses.

Abstract: A L.E.D. light assembly having a refractive lens having a front surface and a rear surface. A plurality of horizontal rows of pillow lens modules are formed on the rear surface of the refractive lens. The respective edges of the pillow lens modules coincide with adjacent pillow block lens modules to form both vertical and horizontal intersection lines. A plurality of vertically oriented convex or concave flute strips are formed on the front surface of the refractive lens in the front surface of these respective vertical intersection lines. A plurality of L.E.D.'s are mounted on a printed circuit board spaced a predetermined distance behind the rear surface of the refractive lens. There is one L.E.D. for every pillow lens module. Vertical oriented planar strips are formed on the front surface of the refractive lens intermediate each of the vertically oriented convex or concave flute strips.

Abstract: An automated color mixing wash luminaire includes a movable yoke and a housing movably connected to the yoke. The housing has a first portion including a light source and provides for removing heat generated from the light source. A second portion of the housing includes movable color filters and a power lens. The light source is operable to project a beam of light along a path through the color filters and the lens. Heat removal is provided by cooling fins and at least one heat filter supported in the path of the beam so that a portion of the beam passes through the heat filter and a portion of the beam is reflected from the path toward the cooling fins. The power lens is formed by a disc of cast transparent material including several lens elements in a honeycomb pattern. Each lens element has a convex surface. At least one of the color filters is a gradient density color filter formed of a disc-shaped substrate having a planar surface including a photolithograpically etched film deposited thereon.

Abstract: A transflection reflector includes a body for simultaneously reflecting and transmitting light rays. The body is formed by a plurality of layers of a polymeric reflective material and has reflected rays at each interface between adjacent ones of the multiple layers. The body is both selectively configured and positioned relative to a light source for a predetermined distribution of reflected and transmitted rays.

Abstract: The invention relates to a glass for at least one signalling lamp, in particular for a motor vehicle. The glass includes a plurality of non-catadioptric elements that have the appearance of catadioptric needles but without performing the same function. At least a portion of the non-catadioptric elements have conical ends on the inside face of the glass. This makes it much easier to make a mold for mass-producing such a glass.

Abstract: A light fixture includes a symmetric trough-shaped lens with a first longitudinal side which is substantially clear and a second longitudinal side with prismatic elements. The lens is reversibly mounted with brackets including parallel tines with pairs of opposing protuberances which fit into slots in the fixture. Side reflectors are optionally inserted into the lens inwardly adjacent from the end walls in order to adjust the light distribution pattern.